Refrigeration



4 Patented Oct. l19, 1937n UNI-TED A STATES REFBIGERATION Emile prever, Menu-cai, Quebec, canada, as-

signor, by mesne assignments, of one-half to Raoul, Lucien Lescarbeau, Montreal, Quebec,

Canada Application April 2,8, 1936, Serial No. 76,803 In Canada April 29, v1935 7 Claims.

The present invention-relates'to the art of refrigeration and has particular reference to refrigeration of the absorption type.

An object of the invention is the provision of improved refrigerating means wherein the cycle of operations is automatically repeated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of refrigeration means of the above character which utilizes heat exchange action to attain improved refrlgerating efliciency.

A further object of the invention is the provisionA of refrigeration means which may be installed in a refrigerator unit in such manner as to occupy a relatively small-space.

Still another object of the invention is the prvision of refrigeration means which operates without the use of movable mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of refrigeration means which is noise-l less in operation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of refrigeration means of the aforesaid character which is relatively simpleand economical in construction. y

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same: Figure-1 lisjan elevational view,partly in cross section, of a' -refrigerating apparatus embodying a lpreferred frm of my invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, chiefly in cross section, of the generating means, Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a mixing device,

Figure 4 is a sectional view 'through a heat `exchanger of the apparatus,

Figure5 is an enlarged fragmentary section through a portion of the lower middle of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is ar section through a modified construction pi a vaporizing device of the apparatus. Referring to Figures 1 to 5'o f the drawings, wherein for thepurpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nuariv meral I0 generally designates a receiver, embodying an elongated closed container which normalf ly contains a solution constituting a refrigerant, for instance ammonia dissolved in an absorption medium such as water. Itis recognized, how- @rating air cooler casing 36 and connecting with 55 ever, that other refrigerants such as alcohol,

(ci. s2-119.5)

l ether, as well as other absorbent mediums may be used.

A conduit I2 having communicative connection with the -bottom of the receiver I0, adjacent one end, depends downwardly therefrom and 5 connects with a heat' exchanger I4 embodying a 'vertical elongated insulated body having transverse partitions I5 and I6 disposed in the upper and lower portions of the interior chamber. A plurality. of tubes II extend through thecham- 10 ber and through' the-partitions, the ends of the tubes being open to communicate with the end chambers. As shown at Figures 1 and 4, the bottom of the c onduit I2 connects with the central chamber adjacent the bottom thereof. y l5 A horizontal conduit I8 connects with the upper portion of the intermediate chamber of the lheat exchanger I4 and continues to forma spiral heating coil 20 disposed about a hollow cylindrical core 2l open at the bottom. Within'the core 2| 20 is fltted an electric heating element 22 although a gas burner or other heating means may be employed, if desired. The upper portionof the heating coil 20 projects vertically upward concentrically through a 25 vertical tubular element`23 closed at the bottom.

. The upper open end of the tubular element 23 has communicative connection with the bottom end of a cylindrical enlarged vaporizing chamber 24 provided with a plurality of transverse 30 baiiles having staggered openings therein. As shown at Figures 1 and 2, a vertical projection 20 of the generating coil 2li projects upwardly within the bottom portion ofthe vaporizing chamber and is open at the top to discharge 35 therein. y A vapor conduit 26 is connected to the upper end portion of the chamber 24 and projects horizontally therefrom, this conduit being bent at a position spaced from the chamber and extends 40 Avertically vdownward and thereafter continues horizontally, as indicated at 21, away from the chamber. The end of the conduit 21 connects Y with a vertical conduit 29 the lower end of which connects with the bottom of the receiver I il. The 45 upper end of the conduit 29 connects with the bottom portion of a vertically elongated rectifying tube 30 provided interiorly with a series of bailles 3l and exteriorly with coolingy hns 32. To the upper end portion of th'e rectiiier30 is connected 50 the upper extremity of'a coil 34 having ns 35V thereon to form an air cooled condenser. 'Ihe bottom of the coil 34 is extended to form a doubled loop 34' arranged in the top of an evapward inclination. The conduit 40 is formed with a horizontal branch 4I at the bottom, which connects with the lower end portion of a tubular projection 42 depending from one end of a horizontal elongated vaporizing container 43. A conduit 44 connects one endof the container 43 with the receiver Il), the upper end of the conduit extending through the bottom of the container 43 sothat its open end assumes an elevated position .therein t maintain a predetermined liquid level while the lowerend connects with lthe lower portion of the receiver I0 which is disposed at a lower level than the container 43. A branch conduit 45 connects with the top of the container 43, at the opposite end, and

with the vertical conduit 29, above the container,

as shown at Figure 1.. A vertically disposed conduit 46 affords communication between the bottom of the rectifier 30 and the branch conduit 4I so that condensate .liquor from the rectier may drain into the container 43.

A coil 41 arranged above the receiver I0 and provided with cooling fins 48 forms an absorber. The lower end of the coil terminates with a vertical conduit 49 connecting with the top oi the receiver III. To the upper end of the absorber coil 41 is connected one end of a vertical conduit 50 connecting with a cooling coil 5I and with the lower chamber in the heat exchanger I4 and adapted to carry liquid from the exchanger to the top end of the absorber.

To the forward end portion of the absorber is also connected a conduit 52 extending upwardly and horizontally and bent downwardly at the rear end to connect with an upstanding tube 53 connected adjacent the outer end of the coil projection 39. Cooling fins 54 are preferably provided on the intermediate horizontal portion of this conduit.-

A tubular mixing chamber 55 is mounted concentrically over the'tube 53, the bottom of the chamber resting on the projection 39 while the top thereof is spaced above the upper -outlet of the tube 53, as shown to advantage at Figure 3. A conduit 5S connects with the top of the chamber 55 and extends upwardly to connect with van upper projection 51 of the evaporator coil, as shown to advantage at Figure 1. A conduit 59 connects withvthe bottom portion of the mixing chamber 55 and extends downwardly and horizontally so as to project into the upper portion of the receiver I0 and to discharge therein. The bottom of the tubular member 23 communicates with the top of the heat exchanger I4 through the medium of a conduit 60 the upper end of which is connected to the lower end of the tube,

while the bottom end connects with theupper chamber of the heat exchanger.

'Ihe operation of the apparatus is substantially as follows 'I'he solution of refrigerant and absorption medium, as for instance ammonia and water,` is conducted downwardly from the receiver I0 and discharges into the centre compartment of the heat exchanger. It passes from the heat exchanger through the conduit I3 to the generating coil which is filled with the solution to the level of the liquid in' the receiver. 'When the generating coil is heated by the electric heater 22 the 5 ammonia, with a. small percentage of water vapor,

upwardly projecting conduit 50 to the top of the 15 absorber 41. As this weak liquor is conducted through the tubes I1, it is in heat relation with the liquor supplied from the receiver and elevates the temperature thereof.

'I'he vapor, mainly amm nia gas, is conducted 20 from the chamber 24 through the conduit 26 and, 'while passing through the horizontal extension 21, is in heat exchange relation with the liquid in the vaporizing container 43. This vapor is carried upwardly through the pipe 29 into the recti- 25 er 30 and enters the rectifier at a point above the level of liquid condensate therein. Any condensation occurring in the pipe 29 is carried downwardly into the receiver Ill. After passage through the rectier 30, the practically pure 30 loop 34' into the top 'of the evaporating coil in a 3# liquid state. This extension loop 34' is purposely made small so as to minimize the transfer of heat from 34 to the brine of 36, as further explained later on. I prefer to introduce into the evaporating coil or into one of the conduits connected 40 therewith an auxiliary agent lighter than and inert to the refrigerant, such as hydrogen, at a pressure approximately equal to the liquefying pressure of the refrigerant; said lighter agent is used as circulator and mixer in Forder to facilitate 45 the 'circulation in certain parts of the system.

'I'he evaporation of the refrigerant proceeds rapidly `in the coil in the presence of the auxiliary agent with consequent absorption of heat and refrigeration.

through the conduit 40 and eventually into the container 43. drogen is urged upwardly by the rising lhydrogen and discharged upwardly through the mixertube 55 53, the heavier excess being conducted from the mixing chamber downwardly through the pipe 59 and into the upper portion of the receiver- I0.

This gaseous mixture passes upwardly through The am- 60 52. From the conduit 52, the hydrogen current 65 discharges into the lower portion of the mixer tube 53 and mixes with the cold and heavy gases issuing from the lower portion of the evaporator coil and, acting as a circulator, is conducted 7 upwardly as a mixture of hydrogen and cold ammonia vapor and passes into the top of the evaporating coil in the presence of the liquid refrigerant entering the coil. 'I'his admixture of the return liberated hydrogen auxiliary agent 75 The unevaporated liquid, mainly l0 'I'he liquid ammonia owing 50 through the vaporizer coll passes downwardly The ammonia gas mixed with hy'- is fed into the top of the evaporator coil 31. This provides an auxiliary vaporizer which circulates a part of the refrigerant through a reduced circuit by-passing the absorber, the receiver and the main vaporizer or generator and increases the refrigerating efficiency of the system.

Even though the condenser 34 is of the air cooled type the apparatus can be eiliciently operated under varying atmospheric temperatures, since said condenser is designed with a surface large enough for ordinary temperatures. But, whenever the atmospheric temperature rises too high, say above 90 F., only partial condensation may be eected in the air cooled condenser coil at the 'pressure prevalent in the system. If,

Y however, the partly liquefied refrigerant vis but slightly cooled below its critical temperature, liquefaction is easily obtained with very little absorption of heat therefrom. Consequently, the refrigerant from 34 is passed through the extension loop 34 disposed in the upper part of the evaporator casing, whereby the refrigerant is very effectively liqueed prior to introduction into the evaporating coil 31. This action can be explained as a trigger action, so to speak, and represents only slight absorption from the brine of casing 36, since, except in extreme cases, the refrigerant is liqueed andfcooled in 34.

Therefore, the extension structure 34" provides a very important and advantageous element in refrigerating systems, enabling very efcient operation even at high atmospheric temperatures, without the necessity of employing exterior cooling means such as fans, cooling water or the like.

In themodiication shown at Figure 6, the liquid in the auxiliary vaporizer shell 43 is partially heated by the vapor take-off conduit 28 and partially by the conduit 60' through which the liquid is conducted from the tubular receiver 23 to the heat exchanger I4. 'As shown in the drawings, the horizontally extending portion of the conduit 28 is vertically offset so that this section is disposed in heat exchange relation with the liquid in the container 43 and a remaining section 23' extends horizontally above the container.

The conduit 60 is arranged so that a portion 60' extends horizontally in the container 43 inA heat exchange' relation with the liquid therein. It is, therefore, apparent that both the vapor and liquid conduits connecting with thegenerator structure may be utilized to heat Vthe liquid in the auxiliary vaporizer.

It isV to4 be understood that vthe process and apparatus herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts and steps of the process may be resorted to without departing from the spirit. of the invention or the scope of the Subjoined claims. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

1. 'I'he process of refrigerating which comprises heating a solution containing a refrigerant and absorbent medium L1 a main generator to vaporize the refrigerant, condensing the vapor and passing the liquefied refrigerant to an evaporator, collecting the liquid refrigerant passingv from the evaporator in an auxiliary vaporizer and mixing some absorbent liquid therewith, heating the said solution in the auxiliary vaporizer by heat exchange lwith a fluid outlet from the 'main generator, condensing the vaporized refrigerant from the auxiliary vaporizer, and conducting the said condensed refrigerant to the evaporator. 'fl/y 2. In an absorption refrigerating process the steps of conducting a liquid refrigerant from the evaporator to an auxiliary vaporizer, mixing an absorbent medium with the said liquid refrigerant, heating the solution in the auxiliary' vaporizer by a` conduit conducting fluid from the main generator, condensing the refrigerant vapor passing from the auxiliary vaporizer, and conducting the condensed refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator.

3. In an absorption refrigerating process which comprises heating of a solution of refrigerant and absorbing mediums to vaporize the refrigerant,

' condensing the vaporized refrigerant and conducting the same to an evaporator, the steps of collecting the liquid refrigerant passing from the outlet of the evaporator in an auxiliary evaporator, and mixing the same with an absorbing medium therein, heating the solution in the aux-v 4iliary evaporator by heat Vvexchange with'a'n outlet from the generator to vaporize` liquid refrigerant in the auxiliary generator, condensing the vaporized refrigerant rissuingfrom the auxiliary generator, and conducting the condensed refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator.

4. In an absorption refrigerating process utilizing a. refrigerant, an absorbingA uid and a light auxiliary gas, the steps of conducting the mixture of vaporized refrigerant and auxiliary gas through a mixer, passing the liberated auxiliary gas after separation from the refrigerant through the mixed gases in the mixer, and conducting the said gas from the mixer to the inlet portion of the evaporator.

5. In an absorption refrigerating apparatus, a

generator, a condenser, a rectifier connected to.

said condenser, a downwardly extending vapor conduit connecting the generator' with the recti` fier, an evaporator adapted to receive liquid refrigerant from the condenser, an auxiliary `vaporizer container communicating with the evaporator so that liquid refrigerant from the said evaporator flows to the said container, a conduit connecting with theA vaporizer adapted to conduct therein condensate from the rectifier, the solution in thevaporizer container being heated by the vapor conduitextended from the generator`so that refrigerant may be evaporated in the auxiliary vaporizer and passed through thecondenser to the evaporator by-passing the generator, a receiver adapted to receive iiuid from the auxiliary vaporizer and the evaporator, an absorber, and means for feeding fluid from the receiver through i a heat exchanger to the generator.

6. In an absorption refrigerator apparatus of the type employing an auxiliary inert gas including'a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, an absorber, a receiver, and means interconnecting the said members, a mixer through which the refrigerant and auxiliary agent gases passondischarge from the evaporator, and a conduit connecting with the mixer so that the auxiliary gas is caused to pass through the mixed vapors as itis conducted to the receiver and evaporator.

'1. In an absorption refrigerating apparatusiu-V cluding a generator, a, condenser, an evaporator, an absorber and means interconnecting the said ,membersyan auxiliary vaporlzing container connected so as to receive liquid refrigerant from the evaporator and absorbing fluid from the condenser, the said vaporizer having a conduit carrying the vapor from the generator to the condenser passing therethrough so as to heat the liquid in. the said vaporizer so that evaporated refrigerant will be conductedvthrough the condenser to the evaporator and by-pass the absorber and gen- 5 erator.

EMILE DREVET. 

